Anyone know where you can tent camp close to Cathlamet? I want to go down there for Springers, and would like to know where you can set up for a few days.

There's a campground at the Cathlamet Marina - mostly RVs but I've seen a few tents there.

A lot of folks camp out on the upstream end of Tenasillahe Island - used to do that myself in the days of small, slow boat and no spouse. With the price of gas, large fast boat, spouse, and daughter in private college I may be reduced to doing that instead of driving back and forth myself!

There used to be a nice campground just west of Cathlamet at Scamakewa (sp). It's right on the river. I haven't camped there for 12 years, so not 100% sure if it is still running. Worth a look though. They even had showers.
Glow

SH,
Best bet is at Skomakowa. On the west end of town immediatly after crossing Skamokowa creek there is a county park called Vista park. Right on the river, nice facilities, restrooms, and a launch on the creek. The launch is fine unless you have a deeper draft boat...then you'll have to wait for half tide to put in and out.

It is technically illegal to camp on Tenisilee. Most people seem to put up shelters for day use, but signs and regs state that overnight camping is prohibited. Not sure if it is actually enforced but thats besides the point.

There is also Countyline park between Longview and Cathlamet in addition to the Marina.

Chuck, I have a 19 foot jet sled - will that be OK to launch in the creek? I need about 16 inches of water at idle.

Unless a bunch of crap washed in and is stuck in front of the launch in the creek you should be fine. I'd still try to avoid minus tides. you can call Skamokowa Center or Vista park to get some current info. Actually if the weather gets really crappy you can get a nice room and breakfast (or a sack lunch) from Skamokowa Center for a reasonable price. When my Dad came down last year we stayed there several nights (he's not much of a tenter) and enjoyed it...even moored the boat at their float in the creek. I haven't been down there since fall so calling could be prudent...have fun, I'm getting awfully homesick this time of year.
Guess I'll have to watch the Fred Meyer ads in Salt Lake for springer on sale.

Hey SH,

I'm thinking of trying my luck down around Cathlamet around the middle of March. Never fished that area before; you have any spots you can share? I'm just looking for a spot or two for the incoming and outgoing tides to start off with. With the price of gas these days I don't want to drive all the way over there just to spend the day scouting.

Thanks.

Harley,

I've never been there either - gonna go do some scouting. What I think I know is that it's a trolling show on the incoming tide, and an anchor show on the outgoing.

I'm gonna do what I usually do to scout. I'm gonna go down there on a busy day, and look around at the boats. I'm gonna try to figure where the Old Fart Index is highest, and mark those spots.


I've heard a lot about guys anchoring off the wing dams, I figure I'll look for those, current shelves, etc.

Stay in touch, lets share what we learn. I may not make it there, fishing has been good arond longview, which is where I usually go.